Cut-off mechanism for zig zag wire



April 23, 1957 A. M. BANK ETAL CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR ZIG ZAG WIREOriginal Filed April 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet- 1 INVENTORS A BERT BA 'ALE:r. ATZ

vllllllll ATTORNEY p il 23, 1957 A. M. BANK AETAL 2,789,585

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR ZIG ZAG WIRE] Original Filed April 5, 195] v 9Sheets-Sheet 2 filo I W uli i am", ,6

" [Z IIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII Y INVENT0R5 ALBERT BAN/4 rm/- ALEX J'-KATZ ATTORNEY April 23,1957 A. M; BANK mm 2,78

' CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR ZIG ZAG WIRE Original Filed April 5, 1951 9Sheets-Sheet 3 223 27 W I "r";

Olll

INVENTOR s ALE JT KATZ ATTORNEY ALBERT M BANK qnc/ April 23, 1957 A. M.BANK EIAL 2,789,585 I CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR ZIG ZAG WIRE I OriginalFiled April 5, 1951 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS NK 4'14 4 5 v J. A A

ATTOR N EY April 23, 1957 A. M. BANK ET AL 2,789,585

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR ZIG ZAG WIRE 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed April5. 1951 J00 u .1 .1D. I "12;;

3. 3 69 I 62 60 J16 J15 INVENTORS ALBEJET BANK 41.4

ALEX .r. A A

ATTORN EY April 5 A. M. BANK ETAL 2,789,585

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR ZIG .ZAG WIRE Original Filed April 5, 1951 9Sheets-Sheet 8 25 Tic .15.

H \I v E April 23, 1957 A. M. BANK El'AL 2,789,585

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR ZIG ZAG WIRE 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Original Filed April5, 1951 INVENTOR$ 3621. m. enmx on ALEx .r KATZ.

ATTOR NEY ..Sta,tes Patent 0.

CUT-OFF MECHANISM FOR ZIG ZAG WERE Albert .M. Bank, Jersey City, andAlex J. Katz, West Orange, -N.'J., assignors to .Super Sagless SpringComn y, J s y it *N J a partne s p Original application April 5, 1951,Serial No. 219,393,

ill Claims. c1. 140-71 This application is a division of our co-pendingapplication, Serial No. 219,393, filed April 5, 1951, for WireFormingMachine, now Patent No. 2,676,621 of April 27,

This invention relates to Wire forming machines. It is particularlydirected to a machine for shaping straight if Z -Zea h r object of thisinvention is to provide a highly improved machine for shaping wire fedthereto, into zig-zag shape, curving or arching the zig-zag shaped wirelongitudinally, and cutting on predetermined indexed lengths ofsaid wireautomatically and at a substantially high rate of speed.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a ma chine of thecharacter described, highly improved means to stop the operation of theinachine, should the passage of the formed wire coming from thewire-forming mechanism'to the cut-off mechanism be held up at thecut-ofi mechanism beyond a'predet'ermined extent.

Still another'object of this invention is to provide in a machine of thecharacter described highly improved means to insure cut-01f ofpredetermined lengths of zig-. zag shaped wire at identical pointsrelative to the bends of the Wire.

Yet another Object .of this invention is to provide in a machine of thecharacter described, contiuuously operating wireforming mechanism,means'to feed the formed wire to the cut-01f mechanism and means tomomentarily halt the movement of the formed wire at the cut-01f pointduring each cut-oft operation.

Still another object of this invention is to provide in a machine of thecharacter. described, means controlled by awns-ra tin mechanism to feedthe formed zig-zag wire away from the wire-forming mechanism, and meanscontrolled by the wire-forming mechanism to halt the feeding of saidgig-zagshaped wire away from said mechanisrn andto' cut ofi the wirewhile its feeding movement is halted.

Still'a'. further object or" this invention ,is to. provide a strong,rugged and durable machine of the character, de-

scribed, which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufaetnre, smoothand positive in operation, which shall prodnee a uniform product, andwhich shall yet be practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

' Other o 'iects of this invention w ll in part be obvious and inparthereinafter pg ted (int,

The ingenition', accordingly, censists in the features ofcoiist'ruction, combinations oi elements, and arrange ment'of parts,which will be egrernplified in the construction hereinafter described,and of which the scope. of inventionwill be'indiceted inthefollqwingclaims.

In the accompanying, drawings i llwhiehare Tshown various illustrativeembodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view. qfi a machine embodying theinvention;

"Fig 2 is a side elevational view part ot the machine arin a. .5. ran e9 hgwni ns- 3 is a partial top plan view of the machine;

Fig.

Fig.9 is a crossrsectional view taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken online 10-10 of Fig.8;

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 11-11 of Fig.8;

Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 13-13 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a *CFOSSr-SfiCtiOIlfii view taken on line 14-44 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 15-15 of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 16-16 of Fig. 34;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 17-17 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 18-18 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 19-19 of Fig. 1; v

Fig. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 20-20 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 21-21 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 22-22 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 23-23 of Fig. 1; l

' Fig. 24 is a cross-sectional viewtaken on line 24-24 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional iew taken on line 25-25 of Fig. l;

Fig. 26 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 26-26 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 27-27 of Fig. 4; V

Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 28-28, of Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a view similar to Fig.- 28, but showing the cut-off ram in,its down position;

Fig.30 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 30-30 of Fig. 29;

Fig. 31 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 31-31 of Fig. 26; r V

Fig. 32 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 32-32 of Fig. 5; I

Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 33-33 a of Fig. 32; v

Fig. 34, is a top plan view illustrating'one step in the wire-formingoperation;

Fig. 35, is a view similar to Fig. 34, but showing the forming turretadvanced 90 from the position: ofFig. 34;

Fig. 36 is a top plan view similar to Fig. 35, and showing the turretadvanced 45 from the position. shown in Fig. e

Fig. 37 is a view similar to-Fig. 3,6, and showingthe turret advancedanother in the samedirection;

Fig. 38 is aview similarto'Fi 37, but showing the turret rotated backfrom the position shown=in -Fig 2,789,585 Patented Apr. 23, 1957 "ice 2Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the machine; Fig. 5 is a sideelevational view of the cut-off end of 'the'machine, with parts brokenaway;

Fig. 39 is a wiring diagram of the electrical system for tom wall 47.The bottom wall opening 49 is a bushing 50 (Fig. 6).:

'8 and 9); The bracketsl53 controlling the cut-off mechanism, insuringindexed cutoff, and for stopping the operation of the machine if thewire stops feeding away from the wire-forming mechanism, for insuringsafe operation of the machine.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, and particularly to Fig. 1, 10designates a machine embodying the invention. The same comprises a frameor base 11. Said base has atop wall 12 provided withdownwardly-extending longitudinal side flanges 13 and end flanges 14.The top of the base is supported on legslS.

Said top wall 12 is formed with a through opening 16 (Fig. 8) on thelongitudinal axis thereof. Surrounding the opening 16 is adownwardly-extending hub 17 formed at its underside with a countersunkbearing socket 18 and with an upwardly-extending hub 19 formed at itsupper side with a countersunk bearing socket 20. Said top wall 12 isfurthermore formed on its longitudinal axis with a pair of spacedupwardly-extending hubs 22 and 23 formed with countersunk bearingsockets 22a and 23a, respectively. The hubs 22 and 23 are disposed onopposite sides of the hub 19, as shown in Fig. 8 of the drawing. Onopposite sides of the hub 23, said top wall 12 is formed with a pair ofupwardly-extending hubs 24 (Fig. 6). The hubs 24are formed withcountersunk bearing sockets 24a. A line interconnecting the axes of hubs24 and 24 is at right angles, to a line interconnecting the axes of hubs23, 19 and '22.

Mounted on top of the top wall 12 of. the baseand enclosing the hubs 19,22, 23 and 24 is a box 25 (Figs. 6-8). Said box 25 comprises a caseportion 26 having parallel longitudinal vertical side walls 27 (Fig. 6),and transverse parallel vertical end walls 28 and 29. Said walls 27, 28and 29 are formed at their lower ends with outwardly-extending flanges30, screwed to the top wall 12 as by screws 31. Side walls 27 are formedwith horizontally-aligned through openings 32 in which are fixedbushings 33 (Fig. 7). Extending from the vertical wall 28 are a pair ofparallel lugs 34 formed with through openings 35 receiving alignedbushings 36. Extending from the side walls 27 are a pair ofhorizontally-aligned inwardly-extending shelves 37 formed with grooves38 in their upper surfaces. Also extending inwardly from the side walls27 are a pair of horizontally-aligned shelves 39 formed with grooves 40in their upper surfaces.

Mounted on the top of the case 26 is a top wall or table 41 contactingthe upper edges of the walls 27, 28 and 29, and fixedthereto with anysuitable fastening means. Said top wall 41 is fon'nedwith a centraldownwardly-extending hub 42 formed with a through opening 43. The lowerend of the hub 42 is formed with a countersunk bearing socket 44,communicating with the through opening 43. The opening '43 is coaxialwith the through opening 16. The top surface of top wall 41 is formedwith a countersunk annular socket or opening 45 having a hot- 47 isformed with a countersunk bearing socket 48. The sockets 45 and 48 areconcentric with and communicate with the through opening 43.

Said top wall or table 41 is formed with a pair of parallel verticalthrough openings 49 vertically coaxial with the bearing sockets 24a andreceived withineach Said top wall 41 is furthermore formed with avertical through opening 51 adjacent the socket 45. The opening 51 isdisposed between said socket 45 and the wall 28. 'The axes for thesocket 45 and the opening 51 are'in a common longitudinal verticalplane. e

Said top wall 41 is furthermore formed adjacent the wall 28, at itsunderside, with a socket 52 for'the purpose hereinafter appearing.Extending underside'of the top wall 41 are a pair of parallel brackets53 carrying a transverse horizontal pivot pin 53a (Figs; are locatedbetween the socket 52 and wall 28 of the box." 9 J 1 l l 1 Fixed to thetop wall 12 of the base which forms the downwardly from the bottom ofthe box 25 and extending upwardly therefrom are a pair of rods 54 spacedinwardly from walls 27 and disposed between the hubs 23, 24 and thecentral hub 19. Attached to the uper ends of the rods 54, as by screws56 is a horizontal transverse bar 57 formed with a central opening 58 inwhich is' fixed the lower end of a pin 59 extending upwardly therefromfor the purpose hereinafter appearing.

Supported on and between the shelves'37 is a transverse horizontal bar60. The ends of the bar 60 are received in the grooves 38 and they areattached to the shelves by means of screws or bolts 61. The transversebar 60 is formed in its upper surface witha central socket 62, coaxiallyaligned with thethrough opening 43. Supported on and between the shelves39 is a horizontal transverse bar 63. The ends of the bar are receivedin the grooves 40 of the shelves '39 and are attached to said shelves bymeans of screws or bolts 63a. Said bar 63 is formed with a centraldownwardly recessed countersunk socket 64 and with an axialthroughopening 65 communicating with and coaxial with said socket'64.The opening 65 is coaxial with the socket 22a in the hub 22.

' Mounted beneath the base 11 onany suitable bracket is an electricmotor 67 (Fig. 1) provided with an armature shaft 68 connected bycoupling 69 to a shaft 70 leading to reduction gearing box 71. Extendingfrom the gearing box 71 is a vertical shaft 72 connected by coupling 73to a vertical shaft 74, passing through the opening 16 in thebottom wall12. Within the bearing socket 18 is a ball bearing 75 for centering theshaft 74 (Fig. 8). Within the socket 20 is a thrust bearing 76. Theupper end of the shaft 74 projects into the box 25, and fixed to itsupper end, is a gear77 resting on the thrust bearing 76. Within thesocket 23a is a thrust bearing 78 in which is journaled the lower end ofa vertical shaft' 79. On the'lower end of the shaft 79 is a gear 80meshing withthe gear 77. Gear 80 is keyed to the shaft 79 in anysuitable manner. Also keyed to said shaft 79 and disposed on top of thegear 80 is a gear 81.

Referring nowto Fig. 6, there is mounted within the sockets 24a, thrustbearings 82. Journaled in and supported on the bearings 82 are the lowerends of a pair of parallel vertical shafts 83 passing upwardly throughthe bushings 50 in the top wall 41. Fixed to the shafts 83 are gears 84which mesh with said gear '81. Said shafts 83 project above the top wall41'. l V I 2 Attached to the upper ends of side walls 27, as by screws,85, are vertical struts 86 supporting a transverse horizontal bar 87(Figs. 6,1 8) attached to the upper ends thereof as by screws 88. Thehorizontal transverse bar 87 is-formed with verticalthrough openings 89coaxial V with the openings 49. Within eachopening 89 is a bushing90;

The upper ends of the shafts 83 are received within the bushings 90.Fixed to the shafts 83 are collars 91. interposed between said collarsand the hubs surrounding'the through openings 50 are anti-frictionwashers or gaskets92. e

Fixed to the upper end of shaft 79 is a collar 93 (Figs. 7 and 8). Fixedto the collar 93 and extending upwardly therefrom is aneccentricfpin'94. Pivoted to the pin 59 on the bar 57 is a lever95-formed with an intermediate vertical opening to receive the upper endof said pin. At one end ofthe lever. 95 isan arm 96 formed with alongitudinal slot 97, throughwhich the eccentric pin 94 passes. At theopposite end of the lever isa segmental gear 98.

Passing through the through opening 43 ,in the' hub 42 (Fig. 8) is avertical-stud shaft 99 journaledi in suitable bearings received in thesockets 44 and 48. Thelower end of the shaft 99 is received within thesocket 62 of the 7 transverse bar 60.

Mounted on 'the shaft amif disposed between the; I hub42 and the bar 60,is a pinionlfll) meshingwith the segmental gear 98.1' Fixed,t o theupperendof theshaft 99 is'a circular disc, rotor oi turret 101.-' Thetnrret101 is received within the countersunk opening 45. The top surface ofthe turret 101 is flush withthe top surfaceof the table or top wall 41.Fired to the upper side of the turret 101, as by screws 102, are a pairof diametrically opposed pins 103, 104 which project upwardly fronithedisc above the top surface of the top wall 41. The pins 103, 104 areequidistant from the center of the disc 101. The disc 101 may becounter-sunk at its underside as at 105, to receive the upper end of theshaft 99, and may be attached to said disc by a screw 106.

It will now be understood that when the electric motor 67 (Fig. l) isenergized, drive shaft 74 will rotate, to rotate the shaft 79 in onedirection, causing the lever 95 to oscillate due to the action of theeccentric pin 94 within the slot 97. Oscillation of the lever 95' willcause oscillation of the pinion 100, and hence shaft 99 and rotor 101,in opposite directions. The gearing is so arranged so as to cause therotor 101 to oscillate in opposite direction through an angle of 360 ineach direction.

Within the socket 22:: (Pig. 8) is a thrust bearing 110. Within thesocket 64 is a thrust bearing 111. Journaled within said bearings is avertical shaft 113. Mounted on the lower end of said shaft is a gear 114meshing with the gear 77. On said shaft 113 is a worth 116. The shaft113 extends above the bar 63. Fixed at the upper end thereof is anannular cam disc 117 provided with a pair of upwardly extending cambumps 118.

Itwill now be understood that rotation of the drive shaft'74 will causethe worm 116 to rotate through the intermeshing gears 77 and 114.

Pivoted to the pivot pin 530 on the brackets 53 is a lever 120 (Figs. 8and 11). The lever 120 is formed at its rear end with a vertical slot121 through which the pivot pin 53a passes. Intenposed between the lever120 and a cup-shaped member 122 fixed within the socket 52 is a coilcompression spring 123 which normally urges the lever 120 downwardly.The lever 120 is provided with a pair of downwardly-extending aperturedears 124 carrying a transverse pin 125 on which is mounted a roller 126pressed downwardly against the cam member 117. As the shaft 113 rotates,the bumps 11?: will raise the lever twice for every complete revolutionof the shaft 113. When the bumps 118 pass the roller 126, the springs123 will lower the lever.

The hub 42 is formed with a vertical slot 42a registering with theopening 51. Slidably mounted in said slot and adapted to pass upwardlythrough the opening 51, is a stop member, pin or finger 128, the lowerend of which rests on the forward end of the lever 12%. Fixed to thelever as by screw 129 is a spring leaf 1% formed with a semi-circularnotch 131 at its'forward end engaging a groove in the circular finger orrod 123. The front side of the upper end of the pin or rod 122% isrounded or beveled as at 132. i

It will now be understood that as the motor operates and shaft 113rotates, lever 12% will be oscillated to reciprocate the pin 128 abovethe top surface of 'tabie 41. If the pin 128 is held from rising for anyreason, lever 120 will rotate, when engaged by bumps 118 about its outerend as a fulcrum. Such movement is permitted because of slot 121providing a safety feature if pin 128 gets stuck or is held back for anyreason.

The gears 114 and 8t are similar so that one revolution of the gear 80is equivalent to one revoiution of the gear 114. Therefore, onerevolution of the shaft 113 will be accompanied by one revolution of theshaft 29. During one revolution of the shaft 79, rotor 161 wiil beoscillated substantially 360 in one direction and 360 in an oppositedirection. During such operation, the finger 128 will be raised andlowered twice. Thus, the pin 123 will be raised and lowered once as therotor 161 rotates through one direction, and once during rotation of therotor in an opposite direction. While the roller 126 is in contact withthe portion of the disc 117 between the camsoribumps118, the pin'o'r'iipger 1 28 stays down so that its upper end is not above the upersnrfaceef the t'opw'all 41." ""Referring 'to"Figs; 12 to '14; and 34,means is provided to feed the wire W to be formed into zig-zag shape ontable 41', and to, and over the'oscillating'turret 101, and tostraighten the wire as it is being so fed. To this end, there'isattached to the top surface of top wall 41, a guide member 135. Saidguide member 135 is in the form 'of"afl'at' plate formed at itsundersurface with a longitudinal'groove 136 extending to its rear-end.Said fiat member 135 is also formed with a groove 137 at its undersideparallel" td gro'ov'136 and extending from the rear'end of said member"about one-half way through said member. Said member is also formedadjacent its'forw'ard end' withaligned transverse grooves municatingwith the front end of the groove 136. At the forward 'end" 'of menjiber135 is an opening or groove 139 commun cating with'the forward end ofthe groove 13:6. The grooves 136 anddsrare interconneotedbya'transverse' groov'e 140. Attached to'the rear end of member 135 as byscrews 141 is a transverse plate 142 formed with acentral opening 143communicating with the groove 136. Said p1at e"is"*als'o' formed'with ascrew threaded through opening 144 communicating with the groove 137;'Attached'to the front end of member 135 is a plate 145 screwedthere't'o as 'by screws 146. Plate 145' is formed with opening 147 whichregisters with the opening 139. Supported by the portion of member 135above the 'groove 136'ar'e'a pair of spaced longitudinally alignedpins1'48,"ea'ch carrying a roller 149 disposed within said groovef Theupper'ends of said pins are fixed in openings'in said portion of saidmember. Slidably mounted through the transverse opening 140 is a bar150. 'At one end oftlie bar 150' is carried a pin' 151 on which is'rotatablymounted a roller 152, disposed within the groove'136. ""At theopposite end of the bar 150 is a downwardprojectio'n 153 located withingroove 137. Slidably mounted in the groove 137is a cam bar 154 having atits"forward'end.a beveled cam surface 155 adapted to engagesaid'projeotion 153. Screwed through the threaded opening 144 is a handscrew 156, the forward end of which is rot'a'tably but non-slidablyconnected to said ba'r. Oh turiiin'g'the screw 156, the cambar 154 ispushed forwardly, thereby moving the bar 150 to the left, looking atFig. 12.

Itwill be noted that the roller 152 is located on one side of the'wire'Wwhile the rollers 149 are located on the opposite side'of said wire.Furthermoratheroller 152 is located about midway of the rollers 149. Byproperly adjusting the position of the roller 152, the wire W passihgthrough opening 143, groove 136 and openings 139, 147,"maybe-straightened. p

Referring to Figs. l2, 13, 14 and 34 to 38, means is provided,furthermore, to tend to urge the wire W laterally toward'its'fmid-position in alignment with the axis of turret 101, when itemerges from the openings 139, 147. To this end"th ere is slidablymounted in the transverse grooves 138, a pair of sliders 160. Attachedtoeach slider and 'xtending upwardly therefrom is a pin 161. The pins 161pass through longitudinal slots 162 formed in the top of'the member 135,and communicate with the'grooves 133. The pins 161 are interconnected bya coil tension" spring 163 disposed above member 135. As'the wire W ismoved to the left or right during thefo rmation of the zig-zag shape, inthe manner explained hereinafter, the spring1 63, pulling inwardly onthe sliders 160, tends to bring the wire 'W always back to'a centralpositio'm I It will benoted that movement'of the pins 161 is limited bytheinner ends of the slots 162. Thus, look.

ing atl ig. 13, if the wire W is moved to the left from the positionshown, the right slider will not move, but the left slider will moveto'the left to tension the spring 163 and such tension tends to move the'wire'W"baEk to its normal position. If

. with a 'ing 178a is a the wire moves to the right it is also pulledtoward a central position by spring 163. As shown in Fig. 34, the wire Wemerging from the openings 139, 147 passes over theface'of turret 101.

Means is provided to shape the wire around the turret pins 103, 104. Tothis end there is fixed to the portion of each shaft 83 (Fig. 6),between the top wall 41 and top cross bar 87, a box cam 165. Thesebox'cams are similar and symmetrically disposed with respect to eachother. Each of the box cams 165 is formed at its underside with a camgroove 166. Each cam groove 166 has a semi-circular portion 167 ofrelatively small radius and portions 168 increasing in radius towards anapex or high point 169. i

Screwed to the top wall 41 on-opposite sides of memher 135 and adjacentthe forward end thereof, is a headed pivot pin 170 (Figs. 16 and 34)projecting above said top wall. Pivoted to each pivot pin 170. anddisposed above the top wall 41 is a wire-bending lever 171. The twolevers 171 are similar and symmetrically disposed with respect to oneanother. Each lever comprises a rearwardly-extending arm 172 to the rearend of which is screwed a headed pin 173 projecting upwardly into one ofthe cam grooves 166. On eachjpin 173 is a roller or follower 174disposed within thecam groove 166. Each lever 171 further comprises aforwardly and inwardly curved arm'175 formed at its' inner endcountersunk screw-threaded opening 176. Screwed into said opening is ascrew 177 having a head at its underside received in the countersunksocket 176 at the underside of the arm. Screwed to the screw 177 is anut 178 contacting the top of the arm. The screw 177 is formed with avertical through eccentric opening 178a (Fig. 17). Extendingthrough'said open wire engaging pin wardly from the arm and substantiallycontacting the top surface of the top wall 41. The pin 179 may be heldin position by a set screw 180.

It will be noted that-the forward end 175a of the arm 175 is offsetupwardly as shown in Fig. 16 of the drawing.

Attached to the top surface of the top wall 41 are a 7 pair of similarsymmetrically disposed lever guide arms 181 (Figs. 18 and 36) overlyingthe arms 175to prevent said arms from moving upwardly. It will be notedthat each guide 181 comprises an outer block 181a contacting the topsurface of top wall '41 formed with countersunk through openingstoreceive screws 1811; for attaching said guide to the top wall.Extending from each block 181:: is a bar 181a spaced above andparallelto the top wall 41 and disposed above thelupper surface of the arm 175,as shown in Fig. 18 of the drawing. V v 9 Attached .to the upper surfaceof the top wall or table 41 and wardly. of the turret 101 and opening 51is a guide 182 to receive the zigzag shaped wire formed in the mannerhereinafter .explained. Said guide 182'comprises a top wall 183 spacedabove the top wall 41. Extending downwardly from the sides of the topwall 183 are side walls 184 from which extend outwardly flanges 185formed with openings to receive screws 186 for attaching said guide tothe top wall 41. The guide 182 forms with the top wall 41 a shallowpassage 187 into which the formed zig-zagwire passes. The guide 182extends horizontally forwardly of the box as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3of the drawing. v

Said top wall 183 extends substantially only to the forward end of thebox 25. The rear end of the passage 187 is open so'that the formedwiremay entersaid passage. Forwardlyof the box 25, the guide 182comprises a bottom wall 188 interconnecting the lower ends of thesidewalls 184 to form an extension of the passage 187,, which passage,forwardly of the box 25.:

179 projecting downextending longitudinally thereof and disposedforhowever, is openat the top,

through an angle of the parts from the The guide 182 extendshorizontally forwardly of the box 25 for a distance and then curvesdownwardly as at 189 (Figs. 1 and 2). Extending from the downwardly andforwardly curved portion 189 is a downwardly and forwardly inclinedportion 190. The portion 190 of the guide, however, is provided with atop wall 191 which extends upwardly above the horizontal portion of theguide as at 192. At the upper end of said guide portion 192 is arearwardly and upwardly inclined portion 193 for the purpose hereinafterappearing. Thus the guide portion 198 is closed at the top. At the lowerend of the guide portion 190 is a forwardly and downwardly curvedportion 194 from which extends a horizontal guide portion 195 resting ontop of the top wall 1.2 of the base. At the forward end of the guideportion 195 is an upwardly and forwardly curved guide portion 196 fromwhich extends upwardly a vertical guide portion 197 (Fig. 26). The guideportion 197 terminates as at 198.

The operation of the wire-forming mechanism in shaping the wire W intozig-zag shape will now be described, by reference to Figs. 34 to 38.Beginning with Fig. 34, the wire W-is shown passingfrom the guide andalready formed with sinuous loops. The following description willexplain how additional loops are made as the machine continues tooperate.

In Fig. 34 the'levers 171 are shown in symmetrical positions. The boxcams both rotate in the same (counterclockwise) direction. The camgrooves 166 are in such position that their major diameters are parallelto one another and to the wire W passing through groove 136. Thefollowers 174 on the levers 171 are at the outer sides of thesemi-circular groove portions 167. The pins 103, 104 are on a transversediameter of the turret 101. The reciprocating pin 128 is down in theposition shown in Fig. 8. The wire W as shown in Fig. 3 passes centrallybetween the pins 103, 104, then turns sharply to the left as at 260, andextending'from the curved portion 200 is-an offset arm 201 of-the lasformed loop 202, contacting pin 103. (It is assumed that the last formedloop 202 and the loops in advance thereof have already been formed.) Thepins 179 on the levers 171 are away from the wire in this position. Thespring 163 in such position, furthermore, centers the wire W.

Beginning now with the position of Fig. 34, let us consider that theturret 101 is rotated in a clockwise direction to the position of Fig.35.

box cams 165 move in a through an angle of 45 from 34. This is so sincethe box angle of rotation of the turret. (One complete revolution of thebox cams will occur during a 360 revolution of the turret 101, first inone direction and then 360 in an opposite direction.)

During the movement of the turret 101 from the position shown in Fig. 34to the position shown in Fig. 35, the pin 128 will move upwardly fromits down position to its up position. This is true since 90 rotation ofthe turret is accompanied by 45 rotation of the cam disc 117, bringingone of the bumps 118 beneath the roller 126 to raise the pin 128. As theturret 101 moves from the position shown in Fig. 34 to the positionshown in Fig. 35, pin 183 which contacts arm 291, will move the wire Wforwardly to push some of the formed loops into the guide 182. The pin163 then engages the curved portion 290 of the wire and pushes itagainst the raised stop pin 123. The pin 104 engages the wire W furtherrearwardly as at 2113 to begin forming an arm 204 between portions 290,263. The stop pin128 holds the wire W from moving forwardly at thistime. s

It will also be observed that during the movement of position of Fig. 34to the position of Fig.35, the left lever 17l'is not rotated since itsfollower from the position of Fig. 34 v 174 remains within thesemi-eircular earn portion17 91 its cam which is concentric with theaxis of the cam. During such operatioh, however, the right lever 171,looking at Fig. 34, begins to rotate in a counterclockwise directionsince its follower 174 moves in one of the cam portions 168 of its cam.The movement of the right cam 165 is not sufficient to bring its pin 179into contact with the wire. However, as the parts move from the positionof Fig. 35 to the position of Fig. 36, pin 179 of the right lever 171contacts the wire between the curved portion 203 and arm 201. Duringthis time the left lever 171 still does not move as its follower isstill within the cam groove portion 167. As the turret rotates throughan angle of 45 from the position of Fig. 35 to that of Fig. 36, the wireis bent'so that the portion 203 thereof becomes a bend around pin 1G4and the portion 20.0 is further bent around pin 103. Between theportions 203 and 200 is termed the arm 204 similar to the arm 201. Aloop is thus being formed comprising the portions 201, 200, 234, andthis U-shaped ljoopbegins to close up. As the parts move from theposition of Fig. 36 to the position of Fig. 37, the lever 171 continuesto rotate in a counterclockwise direction, and the turret continues torotate in a clockwise direction through an? other angle of 45 Duringthis period, the left lever 171 still does not move. However, the pin179 of the right lever 171 presses against the-arm 201, and the pin 104pressing against the portion 2 113 serves to close the loop 261, 200,294 and said loop is substantially closed around the pin 103.

Fig- 37 illustrates the most inward position of the right lever 171. TheWire W is moved'to the-left when the machine moves from the positionofFig. 34 to the position of Fig. 37, tensioning the spring 163. At thispoint the turret begins to rotate in arr-opposite direction and Fig.38shows the position when itlis turned back through an angle of 180.During such period the right lever 171 has begun .to swing in aclockwise direction'away'tfrom the wire. The pin has advanced the wire,and moved out of the loop 201, 290, 294, and the pin 104 is moved intoengagement with the newly formed arm 204, and wire W has moved to theright under the influence of spring 163. In the position shown inFig.36, the pin 128 is still up, but beginning to come down. In theposition shown in Fig. 37, it has already come down. In the positionshown in Fig. 38, it is down.

As'the machine continuesto operate, a next loop is formed opposite tothe loop, justformed and this new loop will be forrned by the left lever171 while the right lever 171 remains out of operation. The next loop isformed by rotation of the turret 191 through an angle of 180 from theposition of Fig. 38, first in a counterclockwise direction and then 180in a clockwise direction, and then the parts will be back tothe positionof Fig. 34. Duringsuch movement the left lever 171 is moved first in aclockwise direction and then in a counterclockwise direction, in amannersyr'nrnetrical to the movement of the right lever 171. It will nowbe understood that as the machine continues to operate, the leftandright loops are alternately formed to produce a continuous zig-zagshaped wire which is fed into theguide 182. i

it will now be understood that the stop member 128 is restricted toreciprocation parallel to the axis of the turret, from an inoperativeposition away from the bending plane of the wire abovetheturret to anoperative 1 position in said plane.

It will be observed that the positions of the pins 179 may be adjustedby loosening the nuts 178, rotatingthe screws 177 to desired positionsand then again tightening said nuts. C i v Referring to Figs. 26, 30 and31fir1eans is provided 1 to longitudinally arch the rig-zaQshapedhwire ad cut off predetermined lengths of said wire, in synchronization withthe operation of'th. .flo

this end, there is provided a punch press P on the top wall 1 0f thebase 11, at its forward end. The same cornprises a stand 210, fixed tobase 11 and having a top wall 211, a front wall 212, rear wall 213, andside walls 214. Extending outwardly from the side walls 214 are flanges215 receiving attaching bolts 216 which attach said stand to the top ofthe base adjacent its front end.

The front wall 212 is formed at its lower end with a through opening217. The rear wall 213 is formed with a through opening 218. The topwall 211 is formed with a central opening 219. it will be noted that theguide portion (Fig. 26) passes through the opening 218 and that theguide portion 196 passes upwardly through the opening 219. I V

Fixed to the top of the top wall 211 are a pair of simi lar symmetricalbrackets 221}, each formed with a pair of similar symmetrically disposedarcuate slots 221. Also carried by the brackets 2th) are aligned pivotpins 222.. Supported on the pivot pins 222'are a pair of parallelupstanding side walls 223 forming part of a power press frame 223a. Atthe lowerentls of the walls 223 are bolts 224V passing through the slots221. The side walls 223 are interconnected by a horizontal bar 225 fromthe front end of which extends downwardly, a vertical bar 226. it willbe noted that portion 197 of the guide contacts the front surface of thevertical bar 226 and that the upper end 198 of said guide is flush withthe top surface of the horizontal bar 225.

Said sidewalls 223 are also interconnected by a vertical upper bar 227.At the upper ends of the walls 223 are a pair of spaced aligned bearings227a in which is journaled for rotation a transverse shaft 22%, carryingat one end a fly wheel 22? freely rotating on said shaft. Screwed tosaid end of the shaft is a not 2% to retain the fly wheel thereon. Onthe opposite end of the shaft is a collar 231 contacting one of thebearings 227a. The wheel 229 is formed at its innerside with a hub 232provided with a plurality of equiangularly spaced longitudinal sockets233. Fixed to the shaft 228 and disposed between one of the bearings 27a and the fly wheel 229 is a clutch member 234 (Figs. 4 and 32).

The clutch 234 is formed at one side thereof with a socket 235 andextending therefrom is a reduced socket portion 236. Within the reducedsocket portion 236 is a coil compression spring 237. Slidably mounted inthe socket 235 is a clutch pin 238 which is normally pressed to theright as shown in Fig. 32, toward one of the sockets 233. Attached toone end of the clutch 234 is a plate 239 formed with an opening 246)registering with the clutch pin 238. i

It will now be understood that when the clutch pin 238 is pressed intothe socket 233, rotation of the fly wheel 229 will be accompanied byrotation of the clutch 234 and the shaft 228;

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 32, means is provided to declutch the flywheel 229 from the shaft 223. To-

this end, there is mounted'on one of the side walls 223, a bracket 241carrying a solenoid 242 provided with an armature 243 pivoted at itslower end to a lever 244. The lever 244 is pivoted to the frame 223a asat 2 .5.

At the forward end of the lever is a wedge mov- V able up and downbetween the hub 232 and the clutch. When the solenoid 242 is energized,the lever 22% is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, looking atFig. 5, to move the wedge 246 downwardly to permit spring 237 to pressthe clutch pin 238 into one of the sockets 233, for rotating the shaft228 through the ily wheel 229. When the solenoid 242 is tie-energized,1everr244 is rotated in aclockwise direction under the influence of acoil tension spring 247 which interconnects the rear end of the leverwith theframe 223a to move the wedge 246 upwardly for disengaging theclutch.

shaped end adapted to be engaged by the correspondi ngyvedgedlsurface-of the wedge port-ion 246 when the it will be notedthatthe clutch pin 238 has a wedge 271 contacting the v 7 below theupper end 198 thereof. Attached to the front 285 as there areprojections 284 wheel 285 is alsofixed to the shaft lar' registry withthe wheel 283.

latter moves upwardly. Means is provided to rotate the wheel 229. Tothis end there is mounted on the frame 22311, a bracket 250 on which ismounted an electric motor 251 belted as by belt 252 to the wheel 229.

Mounted on the portion of the shaft 228 between bearings 227a is aneccentric collar 253 fixed to said shaft and rotatable therewith.Mounted on the collar 253 is a connector sleeve 254 formed with athrough open ing receiving the eccentric collar 253. Attached to thesleeve 254 is a connector rod 255, attached at its lower end to a ram256. The ram 256 is guided in its sliding movement by a pair of guideplates 257 screwed to forwardly-extending portions of said bar 227 bymeans of screws or bolts 259. The ram 256 has wings received in slots260 disposed between the plates 257 and said bar 227. Attachedto thelower end of the ram 256, in any suitable manner, is a cutter punch 261.

"It will now be understood that when the motor 251 is energized, the flywheel 229 will continuously rotate and when the clutch 234 is clutchedto the fly wheel 229, the shaft 228 will rotate, causing rotation of theeccentric collar 253 and hence causing reciprocation of the ram 256 andthe punch tool or cutter 261.

Supported on the front of the frame 223 is a horizontal transverse bar262 (*Figs. 28, 29 and 30). Mounted on the cross bar 262 is a platen 263to the top of which is attached a block 263a. The members 262, 263atogether form a female punch press portion. The latter is formed with adownwardly-extending through opening 265, from the lower end of whichextends rearwardly and downwardly a passage 266 for punched pieces ofmetal, as will be explained hereinafter. .The opening 265 is alignedwith the cutter 261 and when the ram comes down, said cutter is adaptedto descend into the opening 265 for cutting a curved end C of zig-zagshaped wire, as will more fully be explained hereinafter.

The block 263, 263a is formed with a passage 264 having a bottom curvedor arched surface 264a, as shown in Figs. 26 and 30, and a top rearhorizontal surface 264b from which extends a forward and downwardlycurved surface 264a forming a continuation of the surface 264a. Thus thepassage mouth gradually decreasing into a curved narrow pas- V sage. Itwill be noted that the passage 265 crosses the passage 264, as shown inFigs. 28, 29, 30 and 31.

Attached to the underside of the bar 262 is the upper end 267 of a guideplate 268. Said guide plate 268 comprises a portion 269 extendingdownwardly from the portion 267 thereof and extending from said portion269, is a downwardly and forwardlycurved portion 270. interconnectingthe side walls 223 is also a cross bar front side of the guide portion197 of the cross bar 271 is the upper end of a guide or chute 272. Saidguide 272 comprises an upper portion 273 and extending downwardlytherefrom is a forwardly curved portion 275 from which extends adownwardly and forwardly inclined portion 276. .The curved portion 275passes downwardly through the opening 219 and the inclined portion 276passes downwardly and forwardly through the opening 217 of said stand210.

Mounted on the cross bar 225 are a pair of aligned bearings 280 and 281in which is journaled a transverse shaft 232. On one end of said shaftis mounted a wheel 283 formed with a plurality of equiangularly spacedprojections 28.4. For the purpose of illustration, 8 such projectionsare shown on said wheel (Fig. 39). On the central portion of the shaftis a ratchet wheel-285 provided with 8 equiangularly spaced ratchetteeth 286. There are the same num'ber of teeth on ratchet wheel on wheel283. The 282 and it is in angu- Mounted'on the cross bar 225 prisingside walls 291 interconnected 'at the rear bya 264 has a wider is abracket 290 com- 7 of shaft 306 is fixed a sprocket a transversehorizontal shaft 321.. Fixed to the bushings 293. The shaft 282 passesthrough openings in the side walls 291 of the bracket; Said side walls291 are formed with upwardly and forwardly inclined slots 296 in whichis slidably mounted a block 297, formed with a screwthreaded opening298. Screwed into the opening is a screw 299 rotatably and non-slidablyconnected to the cross bar 292 and passing through the opening 293. Atthe rear end of the screw 299 is a polygonal head 300.

It will now be understood that upon turning the head 300 with a wrenchor other tool, the screw 299 will turn for moving the block 297, eitherforwardly and upwardly toward the ratchet wheel 285, or downwardly andrearwardly away from said wheel. Said block 297 is hence adjustable. Ithas at its front end a lower vertical surface 301 which is aligned withone side of the upper end of the passage in the guide portion 197, sothat as the zigzag shaped wire moves through the guide up through theportion 196 and the portion 197, it will come up and contact saidsurface 301. Extending from the surface 301 is an upwardly and forwardlycurved surface 302 spaced from the wheel 285. that as the Wheel 285turns, it will engage successive arms of the zigzag shaped wire and movethe wire around said surface 302, and into the mouth of passage 264,pressing it through said passage. The opening 265 is so located that theouter curved ends of the bends of the zig-zag shaped wire on one side,will pass over said opening, as illustrated in; Figs. 28, 29 and 31.Thus, when the cutter 261 comes down in the passage 265, it will cutoifa piece of curved end of the zig-zag wire, leaving two straight armportions. The pieces of wire which are cut off fall down through theopening 265 and passage 266 and down through the passage 303 and ontochute 272. They may then be dropped into any suitable receptacle as theyfall down the inclined guide portion 276 of said chute. The zig-zagshaped wire emerging from the passage 264 will be curved and will comedown as shown in dot-dash lines in Fig. 26 and engage the top. surfaceof guide member 268, moving up the guide portion 270 toward the guideportion 269. The severed pieces may be removed manually or in any othersuitable. manner. Curved surface 302 serves to curve the zigzag shapedspring longitudinally.

Mounted on the stand 210 is a normally open microswitch 305 adapted tobe closed each time one of the projections 284 on the wheel 283 passessaid micro-switch. The purpose of the micro-switch will be explainedhere- The arrangement is such .inafter.

.Referring now to Figs. 7 and 8, there is journaled in 33 and 36 ahorizontal transverse shaft 306 projecting beyond on said shaft is aworm wheel-307 meshing with the worm 116. On one end of the shaft 306 isa gear 308. Also fixed to said end of said shaft is a sprocket wheel309. On the side wall 27 adjacent which the sprocket wheel 309 islocated is a horizontal guide 310. Slidable in said guide is a plate 311formed with a screw threaded opening into which is screwed ahorizontally extending hand screw 312. On the shank of the screw 312 isa bushing 313 and rotatably mounted on the bushing is a sprocket wheel314 aligned with the sprocket Wheel 309. Extending around the sprocketwheels 309, 314 is a sprocket chain 315. It will now be understood thatthe screw 312 may be adjusted longitudinally of the guide 310 and thentightened in place by turning the screw. Attached to the sprocket belt315 is .a lug or projection 316. At the opposite end wheel 317 for thepurpose hereinafter appearing.

Fixed to the top wall 12 of the base are a plurality of ball bearingpillow blocks 320(Figs. 3 and 19) supporting one end of thefshaftis agear 322 meshing with the gear 308. Attached to the pillow'blocks 320are horizontall y aligned opposite sides of the box 25. Fixed bushings323 (Figs. 3 and 20) supporting atransverse horizontal shaft 324.Attached to the shaft 324 is a bracket 325 provided with a screw 326contacting the forward end of the box 25 to adjustably limit rotarymovement of the shaft in a clockwise direction, looking at Fig. 22.Fixed to said shaft 324 is a pin 327 connected by a coil tension spring323 to the forward end of the box 25 for rotating the shaft 324 in aclockwise direction until the adjustable screws 326 contacts said box.Fixed to one end of the shaft 324 is an arm 329 provided with a roller330 at its outer end. The roller 330 is normally in the path of the lug316. As the belt 315 moves, the lug 316 will strike the underside of theroller 330 to raise the arm 329 and rotate the shaft 324 against thetension of the spring 328 in a counterclockwise direction, looking atFig. 2 of the drawing. When the lug 316 bypasses the roller 330 saidspring 328 will rotate the shaft in a clock- .wise direction until thescrew 326 strikes box 25.

Fixed to the shaft 324 is an arm 331 having a hook 332 at its outer end.Obviously when the shaft 324 rotates the arm 331 will rotate therewith.

Mounted on the shaft 321 is a one revolution clutch 333 (Figs. 3, 19 and21). The clutch may be of usual construction. It comprises a part 334fixed to the shaft 321 and a ring 335 mounted thereon for rotation withspring pressed clutch balls therebetween. On the ring 335 is anoutwardly projecting pin 336. Also said ring 335 is formed in its outersurface with a shoulder 337 adapted to be engaged by the hook 332.Normally, when the hook 332 engages the ring 335 as shown in Fig. 21 ofthe drawing, said ring will not rotate, while the shaft and member 334rotate. However, should the shaft 324 be rotated in a clockwisedirection, looking at Fig. 21, to disengage the hook from the shoulder337, the clutch balls will cause ring 335 to rotate. Before the ring 3351 makes a complete revolution, the arm 331 is again rotated toward theouter periphery of the ring and when the shoulder 337 again comes to thehook 332, rotation of said ring 335 ceases. Thus the ring has beenrotated through one revolution.

Fixed to the top of the table 12 is a normally open micro-switch 337awhich is contacted by the pin 336 once during each revolution of thering 335 and hence once each time the lug 316 on the belt 315 contactsthe roller 330. The switch 337a is closed when it is actuated by the pin336.

Referring now to the wiring diagram shown in Fig. 39, the switch 337a isconnected to the solenoid 242 which in turn is connected to one side ofthe power supply.

Said switch 337a is also connected through the switch 305 to the otherside of the power supply. When the switches 337a and 305 are closed, thesolenoid 242 is energized to operate the ram for cutting the zigzagshaped wire.

interposed between the switch 337a and the solenoid 242 is a normallyclosed micro-switch 338, mounted on the guidemember 182 adjacenttheunderside of the guide portion 193, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.The switch 338 includes an arm 339 which is located beneath the upperendof the guide portion 193. Should the zig-zag forming mechanismcontinue to operate without the zigzag shaped wire feeding out from thecutting end of the'machine, said zig-zag shaped wire will pile up orraise upwardly from guide 182 beneath the guide portions 1'92, 193. Thisis so because the guide portions 182 and 189 are open at the top. If thezig-zag shaped wire risesto the point shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2,it willengage the arm 339 of the switch 338 and open said switch,thereby breaking the circuit to the solenoid242 to prevent the cuttingmechanism from operating.

It will be noted that the cutting of the zig zag shaped wire is indexedwith the feeding of the zig zag shaped wire through the passage 264, tomake sure that when the cutter comes down it will cut off one of thecurved loop ends C as indicated in Fig. 31. This is true since the wheel283 rotates together with the ratchetwheel 235, which feeds the zig zagshaped wire through the passage 264 and further, because one of theprojections 28,4 of said wheel 283 must close the switch 305 at the timeswitch 337a closes, in order to energize the solenoid 242. The lugs 234contact the switch 305 in synchronization with the passage of the curvedloop ends C past the middle of the opening 265.

Means is provided to halt the rotation of shaft 282 and hence thefeeding of the zig zag shaped wire past the cut-off station during thecutting off operation. To this end there is attached to one side of thebase, an upright bracket 340 (Figs. 1 and 7) formed with an opening inwhich one outer end of the shaft 306 is journaled. The bracket extendsupwardly above the box 25 and mounted on the upper end thereof, forrotation, is a sprocket wheel 342 disposed in the same vertical plane assprocket wheel 317.

Also fixed to the same side wall 13 of the base to which the bracket 340is attached, is a guide bracket 343 (Figs. 1, 23, and 25) extendinglongitudinally of the base. Said bracket 343 has a flange 344 contactingthe outer surface of wall 13. It is also formed with a flange 345resting on top of the wall 12, and it is furthermore formed with alongitudinal groove 346 open at the top. Attached to the top of thebracket are plates 347 overlying end portions of the groove 346.Slidably mounted within the groove is a longitudinal rack 348, the teethof which project upwardly. Attached to the bracket flange 344, as bybolts 349, is an upstanding bracket 350 supporting a horizontal shaft351, on which is rotatably mounted a gear 352 meshing with the rack 348.Extending through the gear 352 is a circular row of bolts 353 screwed toa circular disc 354. Sleeve spacers 355 on the bolts 353 space the disc354 from the gear 352. Attached to the disc 354 are a pair ofdiametrically spaced pins 356, equally spaced from the center of thedisc. Attached to said pins is a second disc 357 similar to the disc354. Said discs 354, 357 are coaxial with the gear 352 and rotatetherewith. v

Rotatably mounted on the outer end of shaft 321 is a crank flywheel 358.The crank fly wheel 358 has a weighted segmental portion at one end anda crank arm at the other end. Said crank arm is interconnected to therack 348 by a connector link 360. Both the crank and the rack carrysuitable pivot .pins to which the outer ends of the link 360 arepivotally connected. 7

Fixed on one end of the'shaft 282 is a sprocket wheel 361 in the samevertical plane as the sprocket wheels 342, 317. c

Attached to the top wall 12 and extending upwardly therefrom is abracket 362 (Figs. 1 and 24) formed at its upper end with a horizontalbearing opening 363. Extending through said opening 363 is a shaft 364.Fixed to the outer end of the shaft is a nut or collar 365.Interconnecting the nut or collar 365 with the upper end of the bracket362 and surrounding the shaft 364 is a coil tension spring 366, whichtends to rotate the shaft 364 in a clockwise direction as viewed inFig. 1. At one end of the shaft 364 is a circular disc 367, coaxial withsaid-shaft. Attached to said disc 367 are a pair of diametricallyopposed pins 368,- and fixed to said pins is a second disc 369 similarand parallel to and coaxial with the disc 367 -,The pins 368 and thepins 356 are likewise located in the plane of the sprocket wheels 317, 342, and 361.

Engaged with the sprocket wheels 317, 342 and 361 is a sprocket chain370. The sprocket chain passes around forwardly and overand' around thesprocketwheel 36 1.

Itthen extends downwardly'and rearwardly around the lower pin 356 andthen upwardly and between. said pins 356, and thenaround the upper.pin'356. then. passes 15 downwardly and rearwardly to and around thesprocket wheel 317.

It will now be understood that the shaft 321 rotates continuously andhence the crank fly wheel 358 rotates continuously. Rotation of thecrank 358 is accompanied by reciprocation of the rack 348 which causesoscillation of the gear 352.

Power is imparted to the belt 370 from the continuously driven sprocketwheel 317. In the position of the weighted crank member 358 shown inFig. 1, the rack 348 is at the right end of the stroke, and in suchposition the sprocket chain 370 is slack and clockwise rotation (seeFig. 1) thereafter of the sprocket wheel 317 will merely serve to takeup slack in the sprocket chain without turning the sprocket wheel 361.As gear 317 takes up slack in the portion of the chain 370 controlled bygear 352, such slack imparted to the top run of the chain is taken takenup by wheel 369 under the influence of torsion spring 366. Wheel 369rotates in a clockwise direction (Fig. l) to take up slack in chain 370.It is clear that the zig zag shaped wire is only advanced past thecutting station when the wheel 361 is moving to rotate the shaft 282.When the sprocket chain 370 is slack, therefore, wheel 361 will notturn, the shaft 282 will not rotate, and the zig zag shaped wire willnot move past the cutting station. It is in such position that the ramcomes down to cut the wire. However, when the crank 358 rotates throughan angle of about 180 and the rack 348 has been moved to the left,looking at Fig. 1, gear 352 will be rotated in a clockwise direction,looking at said figure, to take up slack and tighten the belt 370. Asthe belt 370 is tightened the shaft 364 is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection, looking at Fig. l, to tension the torsion spring 366. In tautcondition the belt 370 will drive the wheel 361 for advancing the zigzag shaped Wire past the cutting station.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which theseveral objects of this invention are achieved and which is practicaluse.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention,and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth,it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in theaccompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense except as required by the claims.

Having thus described our invention in some detail what we claim as newand desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States, is: V

' 1. In combination, means to shape wire, a shaft well adapted to meetthe conditions of "mounted for rotation, means interconnecting saidshaft to said first means to cause said shaft to rotate continuouslywhen the first meansis operated, a one revolution clutch on said shaft,means controlled'by said first means to periodically actuate said onerevolution clutch, means for cutting the wire shaped by said firstmeans, means to control said cutting means, including a solenoid, acircuit for said solenoid, a switch in said circuit, means controlled bysaid one revolution clutch to actuate said switch, means to feed theshaped wire to the cutting means, drive means to connect said firstmeans with said feeding means, and means controlled by said clutch torender said drive means inoperative when said switch is actuated, asecond switch in said circuit, means controlled by the feeding means toclose said second switch only when the feeding means is in certainpredetermined positions relative to'yth e cutting" means, meanscontrolled by concurrent closure of both switches to close the circuitfor the solenoid, means controlled by-the energization of the solenoidto activate-said cutting means, whereby to index the cutting of theshaped wire and to halt the cutting means.

operation of the feeding means during operation of the 2.-In combinationmeans to shape wire, a shaft mounted for rotation, means interconnectingsaid shaft to said first means to cause said shaft to rotatecontinuously when the first means is operated, a one revolution clutchon said shaft, means controlled by said first means toperiodicallyactuate saidone revolution clutch, means for cutting thewire shaped by said first means, means to control said cutting means,including a solenoid, a circuit for said solenoid, a switch in saidcircuit, means controlled by said one revolution clutch to actuate saidswitch, means to feed the shaped wire to the cutting means, includingguide means to guide the shaped wire from the shaping means to thefeeding means, drive means to connect said first means with said feedingmeans, and means controlled by said clutch to render said drive meansinoperative when said switch is actuated, a second switch in saidcircuit, means controlled by the feeding means to close said secondswitch only when the feeding means is in certain predetermined positionsrelative to the cutting means, means controlled by concurrent closure ofboth switches to close the circuit of the solenoid means, meanscontrolled by energization of the solenoid to actuate said cutting meanswhereby to index the cutting of the shaped wire, and halt the operationof the feeding means during the operation of the cutting means and athird switch in said circuit disposed adjacent the shaped wire guided bysaid guide means from the shaping means to the feeding means and adaptedto be engaged thereby should the shaped wire stop feeding for more thana predetermined time while the shaping means continues to operate andmove out of said guide means.

3. In combination, mechanism for shaping wire into zig-zag formcomprising transverse arm portions interconnected by end curvedportions, a shaft, means to rotate said shaft in synchronization withsaid mechanism, a sprocket wheel fixed on said shaft, a second shaftparallel to the first shaft, 9. second sprocket wheel on the secondshaft, a sprocket chain over said first and second sprocket wheels, athird sprocket wheel fixed on the first shaft, a third shaft, means torotate the third shaft from the first shaft, a crank on the third shaft,a rack, guide means for said rack to permit longitudinal reciprocationof said rack, a connector link pivoted to the crank and pivoted to therack whereby rotation of the crank will reciprocate said rack, a gearmounted for rotation and meshing with said rack whereby to oscillatesaid gear as said rack is reciprocated, a fourth shaft mounted forrotation, a fourth sprocket wheel fixed on said fourth shaft and alignedwith the third sprocket wheel, a pair of pins on said gear, at opositesides of the axis thereof, a second sprocket chain engaging said thirdand fourth sprocket wheels and passing between the pins on said gearwhereby said second sprocket chain is driven by said first shaft anddrives said wheel when said gear is ro-v tated'in one direction totighten said second sprocket chain, a wheel fixed on said fourth shaftformed with teeth to engage the arms of the shaped wire for advancingthe same, means for guiding the shaped wire from said shaping mechanismto said teeth, a cutter for cutting the shaped wire, a solenoid foroperating said cutter, a circuit for said solenoid, including a switch,means including a member on said first sprocket chain for c0ntrollingthe operation of said switch, a second switch in said circuit in serieswith the first switch, a second wheel on said fourth shaft formed withteeth aligned with the I projections on the first wheel of said fourthshaft, said a rotary disc, .a pair of pins on said rotary'disc, saidsecond sprocket chain passing between the pins on said rotary disc,and'spring means to urge rotation of the rotary disc in a direction totake up slack in said second sprocket chain.

5. In combination, mechanism for shaping wire into zig-zag formcomprising transverse arm portions interconnected by end curvedportions, a first shaft, means to rotate said shaft in synchronizationwith said mechanism, a sprocket wheel fixed on said first shaft, asecond shaft, means to rotate the second shaft from the first shaft, acrank on said second shaft, a rack, guide means on the rack to permitlongitudinal reciprocation of said rack, a link eccentrically pivoted tothe crank and pivoted to the rack whereby rotation of the crank will reciprocate said rack, a gear mounted for rotation and meshing with saidrack, whereby to oscillate said gear as said rack is reciprocated, athird shaft mounted for rotation, a second sprocket wheel fixed on saidthird shaft aligned with the first sprocket wheel, a pair of pins onsaid gear at opposite sides of the axis thereof, a sprocket chainengaging said sprocket wheels and passing between said pins on said gearwhereby said sprocket chain is driven by said first sprocket wheel anddrives said second sprocket wheel when said gear is rotated in onedirection to tighten said sprocket chain, a wheel on said third shaftformed with teeth to engage the transverse arms of the wire shaped bysaid mechanism, for advancing the same, means for guiding the shapedwire from said mechanism to said projections, a cutter for cutting theshaped wire, a solenoid for controlling the operation of said cutter, acircuit for said solenoid, including a switch, means controlled by themovement of the first shaft for actuating said switch each time saidshaft moves through a predetermined angle, a second switch in saidcircuit in series with said first switch, a second wheel on said thirdshaft formed with projections aligned with the teeth on the first wheelof said third shaft, said projections of said second wheel actuatingsaid second switch whereby said solenoid is actuated only when both saidfirst and second switches are simultaneously actuated, for indexing thecutting of the shaped wire in predetermined lengths.

6. The combination of claim 5, in combination with a rotary disc, a pairof pins on said rotary disc, said sprocket chain passing between thepins on said rotary disc, and spring means to urge rotation of therotary disc in a direction to take up slack in said sprocket chain.

7. In combination, mechanism for shaping wire into zig-zag formcomprising transverse arm portions interconnected by end curvedportions, a first shaft, means to rotate said shaft in synchronizationwith said mechanism, a second shaft, a feed wheel on said second shaftprovided with teeth, means to guide the shaped wire from said mechanismto said teeth, whereby rotation of said wheel will feed said wire, saidteeth being engageable with the transverse arm portions of the shapedwire, means controlled by the first shaft to drive second shaft, meanscontrolled by the first shaft to periodically interrupt the drive of thesecond shaft, a switch, means controlled by said interrupting means foractuating said switch when the drive of the second shaft is interrupted,a second wheel on said second shaft formed with projections aligned withthe teeth of the first Wheel, a second switch, said projections of thesecond wheel actuating said second switch, a solenoid in series circuitwith said first and second switches whereby said solenoid is 18 actuatedonly when both switches are concurrently actuated, and a cutter for theshaped wire controlled by said solenoid whereby said cutter is actuatedonly when the drive of the feeding wheel is interrupted and bothswitches are concurrently actuated.

8. The combination of claim 7, in combination with a third switch inseries circuit with the first two switches and located adjacent saidguide means and adapted to be opened by the shaped wire leaving saidguide means should the shaped wire stop feeding for more than apredetermined time while the shaping means continues to operate.

9. In combination, means to shape wire, a shaft mounted for rotation,means interconnecting said shaft to said first means to cause said shaftto rotate continuously when said shaping means is operated, a sprocketwheel on said shaft, a second shaft, a second sprocket wheel on thesecond shaft, a slack sprocket chain interconnecting said sprocketwheels, means on said second shaft to feed wire from said shaping means,means controlled by the first shaft to periodically tighten the slack inthe sprocket chain for alternately driving the second shaft andinterrupting the drive, a switch, means controlled by said last meansfor actuating said switch each time the chain is slack and the drive isinterrupted, a solenoid, cutting means for the wire controlled by saidsolenoid, a second switch in series circuit'with said first switch andsolenoid, means controlled by the feeding means to close the secondswitch only when the feeding means is in predetermined positionsrelative to said cutting means, and means controlled by the concurrentclosure of both switches to energize the solenoid for actuating thecutting means.

10. The combination of claim 9, in combination with spring means to takeup slack in said sprocket chain.

11. The combination of claim 9 in combination with a third switch insaid circuit, means to guide the shaped l wire from the shaping means tothe feeding means, said third switch being located adjacent the guidemeans and being adapted to be actuated by shaped wire moving out of theguide means should the shaped wire stop feeding for more than apredetermined time while the shaping means continues to operate.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.23,169 Horton Nov. 22, 1949 882,385 Harter Mar. 17,, 1908 890,907Horsley June 16, 1908' 1,801,043 I-I-arber Apr. 14, 1931 2,030,988Hofstetter Feb. 18, 1936 2,212,348 Ludington Aug. 20, 1940 2,260,053Platt Oct. 21, 1941 2,277,458 Schultze Mar. 24, 1942 2,307,046 JohnsonJan. 5, 1943 2,390,283 Wilkins Dec. 4, 1945 2,410,298 Mirel Oct. 29,1946 2,464,635 Cunningham Mar. 15, 1949 2,609,085 Terhune Sept. 2, 19522,645,252 Norman July 14, 1953

